Former apartments will be used for students who get sick with COVID-19
Arnold Apartments, the former West Virginia University residential complex shuttered three years ago, is expected to reopen Friday as a quarantine space for students who contract COVID-19.
Jack Thompson, WVU’s interim director of public relations, said the reopening calls for 80 double rooms in Arnold. Thompson said each room has its own bathroom, as well as two beds, a dresser and a desk.
“The rooms will be on floors four through nine,” Thompson said. This will also be the only quarantine space for students during the fall semester, and PPE will be provided.
Right now each room in Arnold, which was used as a residence hall for 60 years, is being painted and cleaned. Plus, WiFi is being installed so students have access to classes while in isolation. Students who test positive for the virus also have the option of returning home to recover, Thompson said.
Arnold will be staffed by personnel to keep students comfortable during their stay. WVU Dining Services will provide meal delivery to students in Arnold during their recovery.
WVU is investing $4 million to have every employee and faculty member who will be on its Morgantown, Keyser and Beckley campuses tested for the virus.
Mandatory testing is now underway in Morgantown, which starts the fall semester Aug. 26. Testing is expected to begin later this month at the two branch campuses.
Testing in Morgantown will continue through Aug. 15.
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